Cuba Holds Defence Talks Despite US Tensions

Cuba convened its National Defence Committee on Saturday to assess the country’s readiness for war as tensions with the United States escalate following the ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.

State-run outlets said the committee, which would take control in the event of war or a natural disaster, met to “increase and perfect the level of preparation and cohesion of the leadership and personnel organs.” 

Officials added that the session aimed to analyse and approve plans and measures for shifting to a state of war if conflict arises. 

The meeting, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, was the first since the US military operation in Venezuela on January 3, which reportedly killed dozens, including 32 Cuban soldiers assigned to Maduro’s security detail.

Díaz-Canel has reportedly denied claims that Havana is in talks with Washington, reacting defiantly to President Donald Trump’s threats and his vow to cut off Venezuelan oil and financial support to Cuba’s struggling economy.